Elsewhere, Gynecoland opened the first integrated breast cancer diagnosis and treatment centre in Romania following investment of EUR300,000 (US$446,279). The serologic treatment and diagnosis centre not only offers fast-track clinical examinations, but also pre-clinical testing to those individuals seeking private consultation. As part of its growth strategy, the company hopes to develop the Gynecoland brand across the country, as well as opening a hospital specialising in gynaecology. Recent reports suggest that the market for erectile dysfunction medications in Romania, which was valued at EUR7.2mn (US$10.78mn) in 2008, has become increasingly attractive to pharmaceutical companies operating locally, with a number of companies competing for market share. Medicines used to treat erectile dysfunction are one of the most dynamic segments of Romania's pharmaceutical sector, with growth rates currently well above the market average. In the first four months of 2009, the market leader was Viagra (sildenafil), with a market share of 49.8%, followed by Cialis (tadalafil) with 27.7% of the market.

Meanwhile, the local subsidiary of Swiss pharmaceutical major Roche announced that it expected sales of its cancer treatments to reach EUR50mn (US$73.58mn) by the end of 2009. In the preceding year, the company's cancer drug segment accounted for 35% of the group's total turnover; while in the first five months of 2009 it proved to be the main driver of the company's sales locally. In other developments, local pharmaceutical firm Antibiotice announced that it is to launch three new products - Almacor (amlodipine besilate), Nolet (nebivolol) and Gladycor (carvedilol), aimed at treating cardiovascular disease. The move to extend the company's product portfolio using last generation products forms part of Antibiotice's long-term development strategy.

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